v. i. 1. To go through a process of natural evolution or growth, by successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect or more highly organized state; to advance from a simpler form of existence to one more complex either in structure or function; as, a blossom develops from a bud; the seed develops into a plant; the embryo develops into a well-formed animal; the mind develops year by year. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor poets enough to understand
That life develops from within. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To become apparent gradually; as, a picture on sensitive paper develops on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Developed p. pr. & vb. n. Developing. ] [ F. déveloper; dé- (L. dis-) + OF. voluper, voleper, to envelop, perh. from L. volup agreeably, delightfully, and hence orig., to make agreeable or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug (cf. Voluptuous); or. perh. fr. a derivative of volvere, volutum, to roll (cf. Devolve). Cf. Envelop. ] [ Written also develope. ] 1. To free from that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to lay open by degrees or in detail; to make visible or known; to disclose; to produce or give forth; as, to develop theories; a motor that develops 100 horse power. [ 1913 Webster ]

These serve to develop its tenets. Milner. [ 1913 Webster ]

The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and developing the line of the enemy. The Century. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To unfold gradually, as a flower from a bud; hence, to bring through a succession of states or stages, each of which is preparatory to the next; to form or expand by a process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form of being; as, sunshine and rain develop the bud into a flower; to develop the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sound developed itself into a real compound. J. Peile. [ 1913 Webster ]

All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed. Owen. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of. [ 1913 Webster ]

We must develop our own resources to the utmost. Jowett (Thucyd). [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Photog.) To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view. [ 1913 Webster ]

To develop a curved surface on a plane (Geom.), to produce on the plane an equivalent surface, as if by rolling the curved surface so that all parts shall successively touch the plane.

Syn. -- To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being developed. J. Peile. [ 1913 Webster ]

Developable surface (Math.), a surface described by a moving right line, and such that consecutive positions of the generator intersect each other. Hence, the surface can be developed into a plane. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful; as, the developed qualities of the Hellenic outlook; the state's well-developed industries. Oppositre of undeveloped. [ Narrower terms: formulated; mature ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. made more useful and profitable as by building or laying out roads; -- of real estate. new houses are springing up on the developed tract of land near the river
Syn. -- improved. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, develops. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Photog.) A chemical bath or reagent used in developing photographs. By the action of the developer, the latent image on a photographic plate or film, not perceptible to the eye after exposure in the camera, is developed and becomes visible. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. (Dyeing) A reagent used to produce an ingrain color by its action upon some substance on the fiber. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. a corporation or individual who finances or organizes a real estate development{ 5 }. [ PJC ]

n. the process of treating a photosensitive material with chemicals in order to make a latent image visible.
Syn. -- development. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

adj. 1. not industrialized but undergoing industrialization; -- sometimes used as a euphemism for "undeveloped"; -- of nations.
Syn. -- underdeveloped. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. [ pr. p. of develop (WN definition 5) ] becoming or arising; as, the rushing yellow of the developing day. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. F. développement. ] [ Written also developement. ] 1. The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state. [ 1913 Webster ]

A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry. Channing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) (a) The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning. (b) The equivalent expression into which another has been developed. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mus.) The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; -- especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{ 4 } for sale to individuals. [ PJC ]

Development theory (Biol.), the doctrine that animals and plants possess the power of passing by slow and successive stages from a lower to a higher state of organization, and that all the higher forms of life now in existence were thus developed by uniform laws from lower forms, and are not the result of special creative acts. See the Note under Darwinian.

Syn. -- Unfolding; disclosure; unraveling; evolution; elaboration; growth. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the process of development; as, the developmental power of a germ. Carpenter. [ 1913 Webster ]